French NationM tnstiinte, S ! ^ 



properties; and of the memoir of M. Pitaro, in which he 

 tiidcavours to dcmonatratc, that a substance discovered in 

 the Grotto de I'Ar^, and analysed by M. Langier, origi- 

 nates from the deconiposition of the insects and reptiles 

 which this crrolto contains. But there are errors someiimea 

 so palpable,~lhat it is best perhaps to say nothing of them. 

 Every year has added to the store of knowledge we pos- 

 sess on the snbject of the application of chemistry to the 

 arts ; and thus new proofs are afforded of the assistance 

 which our wants, added to our industry, may derive from 

 llie sciences. 



M. Chaptal, to whom manufacturers are already indebted 

 for so manv useful processes, has published some interest- 

 ing observations on distillation from wines. We find, 

 from the history which he gives of this art, by the descrip- 

 tion of the apparatus f:)rmerly employed, and that of the. 

 present day, that the processes for the production of spirits 

 have been ameliorated in proportion to the improvements 

 in chemical apparatus. One of the most important of these 

 injprovements, adopted in the South of France, consists of 

 scarcely any thing else than the apparatus of Wo u If on a 

 large scale. The laws of evaporation, and the processes by 

 means of which the liquids are heated by steam, have been 

 ingeniously combined, in order to effect the distillation of 

 spirits in an (Economical njanner; but the observations 

 of M. Chaptal will undoubtedly lead to new improve- 

 ments in the preparation of spirits, and will contribute to 

 preserve to this important branch of French trade, the su- 

 j>eriority which it has acquired. 



The same member has analysed seven specimens of co- 

 lours found at Pompcia, which had been sent to him by 

 the impress Josephine*. 



M. Sage has been occupied in ascertaining the best pro- 

 jcesses for extracting quicklime, in order to obtain a solid 

 mortar. He has also examined the nature of different 

 . pieces of stucco; the best method of givii^g the polish of 

 marble to artiticial stones ; and, finally, he has given an 

 account of a process for reducing white wax into soap. 



The san)e author in a memoir, and iNlessrs. Guyton and 

 Vauquelin in a report, have comnumicated some observa-» 

 lions on the advawiages and disadvantages of employing 

 iinc in covering houses !• ^ nd on the request of the 

 minister of the interior, the committee for chemistry has 



♦ See Plii!. Ma^, vol. xxxiv. paire 411. 



f This is not a French discovery, nor is it new. Sec an ingenious paper 

 ¥y Mr. Randall oo this iubjcct in our 'JSth volume, p. 344. — Edit. 



should 



